Compact sized paper towel and dispensers

ABSTRACT

A compact paper towel roll and a dispenser comprising a plurality of compact sheets attached to each other at a perforated edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width of at least half of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the compact paper towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution of individual compact sheets. The dispenser may be embodied as a dual paper towel holder where both a compact and a standard size roll fit. Alternatively, the dispenser may be a housing that receives the compact paper towel roll and may be fastened to a counter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a paper towel roll that is smaller in width than the standard paper towel roll, with a coordinating dispenser to accommodate the smaller size.

2. Description of Related Art

Paper towels are a commonly used cleaning tool in most homes, offices, schools and the like. Because of their disposable convenience, paper towels have replaced cloth wipes and towels for most cleaning tasks. The paper towels are easily thrown away after use, instead of having to repeatedly clean the cloth wipe every time it gets soiled. Since they are disposable the paper towels are convenient to take in the car or even while camping.

Nowadays the paper towels are available in many forms from rolls to individual folded sheets. In most public restrooms or kitchens, the paper towel rolls are typically a continuous sheet that is cut by the dispenser as needed upon dispensing. Alternatively, most home use paper towel rolls are sheets of paper towel attached at a perforated edge. This way the user does not require the cutting dispenser. They may simply tear the individual sheet away as needed. The individual sheets are available in two sizes, a standard size and a smaller select-a-size. The select-a-size paper towel sheets comprise a length that is almost half the length of a standard sheet of paper towel making it convenient for small messes and surfaces. But even these sheets may be too big for some tasks like wiping the top of a soda can or removing a smudge on a pair of glasses. With such small debris removal the rest of the standard size or select-a-size paper towel sheet is wasted causing more trash at the end of the day; which ultimately ends up in a landfill and wastes even more of our nation's natural resources.

Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide a smaller paper towel sheet for easy cleaning of the smallest areas and surfaces. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a holder for these small paper towel sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a compact paper towel roll with a coordinating dispenser, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper towel roll that comprises smaller sheet width than the standard paper towel roll sheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coordinating holder for a compact paper towel roll.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact paper towel roll dispenser that fits both a compact paper towel roll and a standard paper towel roll.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a compact paper towel roll and a dispenser is described comprising a plurality of compact sheets attached to each other at a perforated edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width of at least half of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the compact paper towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution of individual compact sheets. The dispenser may be embodied as a dual paper towel holder where both a compact and a standard size roll fit. Alternatively, the dispenser may be a housing that receives the compact paper towel roll and is fastened to a counter.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dual paper towel dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(A) depicts an enlarged top view of a pair of inner arms of a dual paper towel dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(B) depicts an enlarged top view of a center arm of a dual paper towel dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a compact paper towel dispenser in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2(A) depicts a perspective view of a compact paper towel dispenser with an alternative housing in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a compact paper towel dispenser in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a paper towel roll that is smaller in width than the standard paper towel roll, and a dispenser to accommodate the smaller size. The present invention provides a compact paper towel roll and dispenser as a way to give a user options for paper towel sheet size and to prevent waste accumulated with large paper towels. The compact paper towel roll is approximately half to a quarter size of the standard paper towel roll width. The compact paper towel roll may fit into a variety of dispensers. For example, a dual fitting holder that fits a standard paper towel roll and a compact paper towel roll. The smaller size of the compact paper towel roll sheets is perfect for wiping small areas or items like the top of a soda can or a pair of glasses, thereby effectively eliminating the wastefulness inherent in traditional paper towels.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a dual paper towel dispenser 10 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The dual paper towel dispenser 10 includes a backing 12 that runs the length of the dispenser 10. The backing 12 is divided into two portions, a first portion 13 a and a second portion 13 b. The first portion 13 a supports the backing 12 behind a compact paper towel roll 40, whereas the second portion 13 b supports the backing 12 behind a standard paper towel roll 30. The dual paper towel dispenser 10 may be made from a lightweight plastic or metal.

The backing 12 includes a pair of outer arms 14 a, 14 b and at least one inner arm 16. A first pair of arms 14 a, 16 secures the compact paper towel roll 40. The compact paper towel roll 40 includes a plurality of compact sheets 42 where the compact sheets 42 are attached together at a perforated edge 44. The perforated edge 44 may be approximately 4-6 inches in width, thus the dimensions of each compact sheet 42 may range from 4-6 inches in width 44 and 4-6 inches in length 46.

A second pair of arms 14 b, 16 secures the standard paper towel roll 30. The standard paper towel roll 30 includes a plurality of sheets 32 attached together at a perforated edge 34. The perforated edge 34 of the standard paper towel roll 30 may be 11 inches in width. The sheets 32 may be 6 inches or 10.4 inches in length 36 depending on the likes and preferences of the user for their standard paper towel roll sheet size. FIG. 1(B) illustrates the inner arm 16 extending from the backing 12. The inner arm 16 includes a protrusion 18 on each side of the inner arm 16 to secure the paper towel rolls 30, 40.

An enlarged view of a pair of inner arms 16 a, 16 b is illustrated in FIG. 1(A) extending from the backing 12. The pair of inner arms 16 a, 16 b and the outer arms 14 a, 14 b each includes a protrusion 18 which inserts into the paper towel rolls 30, 40 to hold them within the dispenser 10. The pair of inner arms 16 a, 16 b may be flexible to enable exchange between used and unused paper towel rolls 30, 40. The backing 12 may be separable at a seam 11 which enables the dispenser 10 to be used as a single unit or as two separate units, one for each size of paper towel roll 30, 40.

Referring now to FIG. 2 a perspective view of a compact paper towel dispenser 100 is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The compact paper towel dispenser 100 includes a housing 102 that attaches to the counter 120 on a base 104. The housing 102 may be cylindrical or cuboidal (as illustrated in FIG. 2(A)). The housing 102 includes a removable cover 106 with a central opening 108. The removable cover 106 enables the user to open the housing 102 and insert or replace the compact paper towel roll. The opening 108 provides easy access to the compact sheets 42 as they are threaded through the cover 106. The compact paper towel dispenser 100 may attach to a counter 120. The compact paper towel dispenser 100 may attach to the countertop or beneath the counter depending on how the user wishes to use the dispenser 100. Alternatively, the base 104 may be weighted to enable the housing 102 to simply rest upon the counter 120, and easily repositioned as desired by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a compact paper towel dispenser 140 is shown in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The compact paper towel dispenser 140 includes a pair of upright arms 142 attached to a base 144. The upright arms 142 are fastened to the opposing peripheral portions of the base 144. The third embodiment of the dispenser 140 resembles a napkin holder. Single compact sheets 42 are packed between the pair of arms 142.

The compact paper towel rolls provide a novel size roll that is convenient when a large sheet roll is too big. The compact paper towel roll is ideal for wiping small areas or surfaces especially when a full sized sheet would create waste when only using a portion of the sheet. With the various dispensers the compact paper towels 40 are readily available wherever and whenever needed by the user.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact paper towel roll and a coordinating dispenser comprising: a. a plurality of compact sheets attached to each other at a perforated edge, where the perforated edge comprises a width of at least half of a standard paper towel sheet width; wherein the compact paper towel roll fits into the dispenser for distribution of individual compact sheets.
 2. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 1, where the dispenser is a dual dispenser able to hold the compact paper towel roll and a standard size paper towel roll.
 3. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 2, where the dispenser includes: a. a backing, where the backing includes a first portion behind the compact paper towel roll and a second portion behind the standard paper towel roll; b. a pair of outer arms at each end of the backing; c. an inner arm extending from the backing, where the inner arm fits between the compact paper towel roll and the standard paper towel roll; and d. a protrusion on each arm to fasten the compact paper towel roll and the standard paper towel roll within the dispenser.
 4. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 3, where the central arm is composed of two pieces to provide a pair of inner arms, one arm for each paper towel roll.
 5. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 4, where the backing includes a seam between the pair of inner arms, where the seam enables the backing to separate.
 6. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 1, where the dispenser includes a. a housing, where the housing contains the compact paper towel roll; b. a base beneath the housing; and c. a cover on the housing, where the cover includes an opening to dispense the compact paper towel roll.
 7. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6, where the housing is cuboidal.
 8. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6, where the housing is cylindrical.
 9. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6, where the base is weighted.
 10. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 6, where the base fastenes to a counter.
 11. The compact paper towel roll and dispenser according to claim 1, where the dispenser includes a base with a pair of arms positioned at opposing edges of the base, where individual sheets of the compact paper towel are positioned between the pair of arms. 